Mauritius Travel

Mauritius Travel: Top Experiences

1. Head for the Hammock

Welcome to the tropics where the sun shines and the days are hot and long. A Mauritius beach holiday demands nothing more from you than hanging out on an immaculate beach.

This is Mauritius, where a culture of attentive service and willing smiles ensures your glass will always be full and the only reason to tear yourself away from your sun lounger is to cool off in the Indian Ocean or have another go at that water-skiing.

Mauritius is a water sports playground. Calm, warm water and willing teachers - there are no excuses for you not to learn to stand on that windsurfer, experience the thrill of being pulled behind the motorboat with the wind in your hair or to snorkel through the colourful underwater world of the coral reefs.

2. Natural Island Life

If you can tear yourself away from the palm-fringed beaches it's well worth exploring the exotic and often unique natural kingdom of Mauritius.

Hike through the mountains and tropical forests of the Black River Gorges National Park or one of the other extensive nature reserves on the island. Don't forget your swimming costume, the island is littered with fresh water rivers and impressive waterfalls.

If you don't want to walk, gets your adrenalin pumping on a quad bike, horse ride through the lush natural scenery or spot big-eared dear from a mountain bike at L'Etoile.

Learn about the island's conservation efforts on Ile aux Aigrettes, where naturalists attempt to conserve threatened idiginous vegetation and endemic creatures such as the pink pigeon.

Wander down the 62 acres of shady avenues and terraces of Jardin des Pamplemousses and marvel at the enormous water lilies whose leaves are reputed to be able to withstand a weight of up to 45kg (100lb), a sight to enthral all members of the family.

3. Slip into Luxurious Spa Treatments

An island vacation can only be considered a true escape if you book yourself in for some serious pampering. Fortunately, most resorts in Mauritius offer spas with a range of treatments. Typically you'll be taking your indulgence in a calm oasis ... and you'll emerge relaxed and glowing.

While your resort of choice will more than likely offer fabulous ways to pamper yourself, slip into another world at the destination spa of Shanti Ananda Maurice on the Mauritius South Coast. Voted the World's No 1 Destination Spa by Conde Nast Traveller each year from 2005 to 2007, it offers Ayurvedic treatments, holistic lifestyle plans, yoga and a range of spa therapies from around the globe.

4. Tee Off in Paradise

Mauritius is a golfer's paradise, conveniently situated on a tropical paradise island. Many of the hotels and resorts of Mauritius have their own golf course, some of them designed by professional golfers.

The most unusual and breathtaking course is probably the Le Touessrok course situated on the offshore island of Ile Aux Cerfs. Each of the 18 holes of this Bernard Langer designed course has a view of the Indian Ocean and you'll be tested with various water features and tricky tee shots over sea inlets.

5. Shopping in Grand Baie

Grand Baie is a charming town situated around a clear, blue harbour in the north of the island and is the hub of the tourist trade. Anything from stylish beachwear, Mauritian gifts to day excursions can be bought and haggled for in this seaside town.

Browse the upmarket boutiques and shopping centres or find a sleepy cafe from which to people watch. Join in a local game of dominoes or recline on the sandy beach as you watch the sailing boats bob in the bay.

6. Under Your Own Steam

Experience island life by having the freedom to choose your direction - being a small island, part of the fun can be getting around. Self-driving in Mauritius allows you to explore the lesser known areas of the island and the time to soak in the unique character of the island.

Hire a car through Go2Africa, something small and nippy is best as the roads in Mauritius are narrow and they twist and turn through lush vegetation and waving sugar cane fields. But the locals are friendly, relaxed and more than happy to help should you take a wrong turn.

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